Childminder in Camden

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY308022 Inspection date 20/03/2012 Inspector Helen Steven

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2005. She lives with her adult daughter in a two- bedroom flat in South Hampstead, in the London Borough of Camden. The home is accessed using stairs. The living room is the main area of the home used for minding. The childminder does not have a garden. However, she accesses local parks and outdoor areas on a regular basis with minded children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children aged under eight years, at any one time and they may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy the range of play experiences that supports their learning and development, although systems for planning, observing and monitoring are not robust. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs. She works alongside parents by sharing information to satisfactorily meet these though this is primarily related to their welfare. The childminder does not have a robust system for evaluating her service, but is aware of some areas for development. She has addressed previous recommendations and has plans for further training to demonstrate her drive for improvement and satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous development. Most documentation is in place, although some required details about children and their parents are omitted.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain the name and address of every parent and carer who is known to the provider and information about who has parental responsibility for the child (Documentation) 03/04/2012

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to continually look for ways to help improve outcomes for every child  strengthen observation and assessment to more accurately monitor children's progress towards the early learning goals and to identify and plan for each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child's individual next steps for learning  improve the information shared with parents to offer support for extending children's learning in the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable knowledge of safeguarding issues. She is aware of how to refer any concerns to help ensure children are safeguarded and has guidance to support her in this process. She has carried out risk assessments for her home and for local outings to promote children's safety. The childminder uses drop-in groups to extend the range of activities children undertake, covering all the areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder does not have a robust system for self-evaluating her service in order to identify her strengths and priorities for development. Nevertheless, through discussion she identifies weaknesses in her provision and has plans to attend further training to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

There are systems in place to collate written observations; however, these are not routinely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has emerging skills in identifying children's next steps in learning, although individual planning for children's learning is not effectively established. Children have individual profiles, which include beautiful photographs of them engaging in activities outside of the home and samples of their creative work. The childminder sets out a basic selection of resources each day, which are age appropriate and based on children's interests. The childminder has adopted a suitable range of written policies and procedures to keep parents informed of her methods. However, some information is not reflective of the childminder's practice. Most required records are in place to promote children's health and welfare. For example, the childminder maintains an attendance register and has obtained

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the early years provision

emergency medical consent. However, the information collated does not include the address of every parent who is known to the provider or information about who has parental responsibility for children, as required. The childminder holds a valid, first aid certificate to enable her to treat children appropriately in the event of an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity adequately. There are some multicultural resources available, including books. The childminder has positive relationships with parents and, overall, they are kept informed about their children's activities to support the development. They feel their children seem very content and they report that they are happy with their progress. However, the childminder has not yet developed robust ways of involving parents in their children's learning. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. The childminder has a positive attitude to working alongside other agencies, as and when the need arises, in order to support children's individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes children to attend local provisions each morning. As a result, children enjoy a wide range of activities that support their development in all areas of learning. Therefore, the childminder is ensuring children are making suitable progress towards the early learning goals and developing skills for the future. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home, demonstrating that they feel secure in her care. They are developing their independence when feeding themselves; however, they are held when hand washing, rather than being supported in carrying out this activity with more autonomy. Children sit beside the childminder to share picture cards with her as she comments on the images. They repeat words, babble and chatter, demonstrating that they are developing their communication skills. Children clap and cheer when they successfully fit lift-out pieces into the puzzles. They move their bodies impulsively to dance when hearing

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and outcomes for children

music. Outings to local playgrounds and drop-in groups enhance children's physical development and enable them to develop an awareness of their diverse, local community. Some resources reflect children's cultural background to help them gain a sense of belonging. Children enjoy arts and crafts, which develops their creativity. They act out familiar roles, for example, using a wooden spoon to vigorously stir imaginary food in a metal pot.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a suitable understanding of healthy lifestyles. Parents provide their children's lunches and the childminder offers them healthy snacks, such as fruit. Children benefit from fresh air and physical activities daily, in order to develop an understanding of the importance of regular exercise. Children are supported in washing before eating, which enables them to develop an appropriate understanding of personal hygiene. Children feel safe as they have developed close relationships with the childminder and have undertaken fire drills to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. Children are supported in learning to behave appropriately and are encouraged to take responsibility by helping to tidy up after play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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